Opus (Austrian band)
Opus | |
|---|---|
Opus performing in Vienna in 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Graz, Austria |
| Genres | Pop rock |
| Years active | 1973–2021[1] |
| Labels | Philips, OK Musica, RCA Victor, Polydor, Dino Music |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
| Website | opus |
Opus was an Austrian pop-rock group. It was formed in 1973 in Graz and disbanded in 2021.[1] The band was mainly known for its 1985 single release, "Live Is Life", which reached the Top 10 in several European countries.
History
In 1985, Opus released "Live Is Life", which ranked first in various global charts. This included Canada, which ranked for seven weeks in late 1985 and early 1986.[2] A live recording of the song made the Top 40 in the US in 1986. It ranked sixth in the UK Singles Chart on 3 August 1985, and stayed in the charts for 15 weeks.[3]
Another standout track from Opus was the power ballad "Flyin' High", a live version of which appeared both on the Live is Life album, and a successful US release, Up and Down. At a concert in the mid-1980s, fellow Austrian rock star Falco joined Opus on stage for a rendition of "Flyin' High". On 24 November 2021, Opus performed the song in front of celebrating Austrian government officials during the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] The group disbanded the same year on 21 December.[1]
In popular culture
Cover versions of "Live is Life" have also been performed by Stargo, Laibach, the Hungarian band Tormentor, the Estonian band Kuldne Trio ("Laip on Laip"), Axxis, and Dolapdere Big Gang. Additionally, as a guest, DJ Ötzi released a version with the Hermes House Band in 2002, which reached #50 in the UK chart.[5]
Band members
Current members
- Herwig Rüdisser – vocals
- Ewald Pfleger – guitar, backing vocals
- Kurt-Rene Plisnier – keyboard
- Günter Grasmuck – drums, percussion
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
- Daydreams (1980)
- Eleven (1981)
- The Opusition (1982)
- Up and Down (1984)
- Solo (1985)
- Opus (1987)
- Magical Touch (1990)
- Walkin' on Air (1992)
- Love, God & Radio (1996)
- The Beat Goes On (2004)
- Opus Magnum (2020)
Live albums
- Live Is Life (1984)
- Jubileé (1993)
- Tonight at the Opera (2009)
- Graz Liebenau (2013)
Compilation albums
- Best of (1985)
- Greatest Hits – The Power of Live Is Life (1998)
- Flyin' Higher – Greatest Hits (2003)
- Back to Future – The Ultimate Best-Of (2008)
Singles (selection)
| Title | Release | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUT | FRA | GER | ITA | NL | SWI | UK[3] | US | |||
| "Flyin' High" | 1982 | 5 | - | 45 | - | - | 5 | - | - | |
| "Live Is Life" | 1985 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 32 | |
| "Flyin' High (live version)" | 1985 | - | - | 37 | - | - | 5 | - | - | |
| "Whiteland" | 1987 | 3 | - | - | 39 | - | - | - | ||
| "Faster and Faster" | 1988 | 12 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| "Gimme Love" | 1992 | 9 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| "The Power of Live Is Life" | 1994 | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| "Life Is Live (Live)" | 2019 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||||
References
- ^ a b c "El grupo austríaco Opus ("Live is Life") se retira después de 48 años". SwissInfo (in Spanish). 21 December 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ Lwin, Nanda. Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide (2000). Mississauga, Ont.: Music Data Canada
- ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 408. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Opus mit "Live is Life"" (in German). ORF. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 251. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Home". Opus official website. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
External links
- The Official Opus Homepage
- Opus discography at MusicBrainz